Hot this week – September 21 to 27

Spring may be known as the time of year that breathes new life, but here in Manitoba, it’s most definitely Autumn. Innovation is at an all-time high as we gear up for Winnipeg’s arts scene to come to life. In the meantime, there are plenty of things to do to get your creative gears moving. Take part in the most imaginative nights of the year at Nuit Blanche or focus on your own aesthetic at the Winnipeg Art Gallery Annual Fashion Show. If you prefer something a little closer to home (figuratively, at least), head to Powerview-Pine Falls to drive along festively decorated houses and businesses. This week is a blank canvas, and it’s up to you on how to paint it. Here’s what’s hot this week…

Create, participate and share during Culture Days

September 25 to 27
Various locations

Canada is gearing up for another cross-country celebration of all things art and culture, and it’s no surprise that Manitoba is all in. We are known for our thriving arts scene, so an all-weekend event celebrating just that is so up our alley (alley party, actually). Culture Days raises awareness, accessibility, participation and engagement in the arts and cultural life of their communities. Get a rare glimpse into the worlds of artists, creators, historians, architects, curators, designers and all creative people by attending an official Culture Days event.

Go on an all-night adventure of contemporary art

September 26, 6:00 pm to 6:00 am
Various locations

Nuit Blanche Winnipeg is one of the most popular Culture Day events, so much so that it deserves its own entry in Hot this Week. This free, all-night event celebrates contemporary art and invites people from all walks of life to set off on a dusk-til-dawn adventure through Winnipeg. All events and exhibits are spread across three main zones of activity: St. Boniface, Downtown and the Exchange District. In the past, the night has presented sing-along theaters, flash mobs, art installations and travelling choirs. And since you never know what the next year could bring, it’s one of the best nights to be out and about!

Take the (craft) show on the road

Various dates and locations

We are sitting on the cusp of craft show season, and we’re all for getting ahead. Where else can you find one-of-a-kind items? From jewellery to home décor, to clothes and toys, craft sales are the ultimate shopping destination. This fall, take a literal shopping trip, exploring what artisans and crafters from all over Manitoba have to offer. First up is the Fall Fling Craft & Trade Show in Altamont in Pembina Valley Central Plains.

Get your fill at a fall supper

Various dates and locations

Fall just wouldn’t be fall without the opportunity to enjoy a hearty, home cooked meal. Fall suppers are a long standing (and very tasty) Manitoba tradition, bringing together local communities with warm meals.

Embark on a geocaching adventure at the zoo

September 26
Assiniboine Park Zoo

Calling all treasure seekers, explorers and animal lovers: the fun begins this weekend at the zoo with an incredible geocaching adventure! Get a introduction to the GPS and geocaching before setting out onto the ultimate scavenger hunt. Race past lions, polar bears and arctic foxes as you make your way through the Assiniboine Park Zoo. The event wraps up with a BBQ supper and prizes.

Bid farewell to the birds of Oak Hammock Marsh

September 22 and 24
Oak Hammock Marsh

Supper and bird migration may seem like a strange combination; but the two come together seamlessly for Oak Hammock Marsh’s Migration Dinner. Enjoy a three course, locally sourced feast containing roasted squash salad, braised elk short ribs, and vanilla bean sponge cake while watching thousands of ducks and geese.

Decode the mysteries of the Legislative

Wednesday evenings until Oct 14
Manitoba Legislative Building

Sign up for an unforgettable evening of magic, mystery and architectural wonder on the Hermetic Code Tour. The charismatic Frank Albo, researcher and inspiration behind the bestseller The Hermetic Code, will take you along a step-by-step tour to reveal a trail of occult clues concealed in the building’s architecture including: hidden hieroglyphic inscriptions, numerological codes, and Freemasonic symbolsso intelligently masked they have escaped historians and visitors for nearly a hundred years! This is part of the Canadian Signature Experience collection.

Buzz around The Forks at the Manitoba Honey Show

Photo by Shannon VanRaes

September 25 to 27
The Forks

To bee or not to bee, that is the question. Clearly, the answer is ‘to bee’ as the Annual Honey Show and Competition begins to buzz at the Forks. Come try the winners of the Honey Competition, shop hive related products and get a glimpse into what it takes to become a beekeeper.

Get a head start on hockey season

September 22 and 25
MTS Centre

In only a few short days, Canada’s favourite sport will return for an exciting pre-season. The good old hockey game brings the roar to the crowd when the Winnipeg Jets take on the Minnesota Wild on September 22 and the Edmonton Oilers on September 25. As always, tickets are limited, so grab what you can before they’re all gobbled up. And there’s plenty of pre- and post-game action at surrounding pubs, clubs and eateries like Shark Club, The Met, and Tavern United.

Carve, bake and celebrate at the Teulon Pumpkinfest

September 26 | 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Teulon

Pumpkin enthusiasts, gardeners and artisans alike will gather at Pumpkinfest this weekend in Teulon. Fill up on pumpkin pie, participate in a workshop or enter a competition. Are you a master canner? Cake boss? Professional carver? Gardening connoisseur? At Pumpkinfest, talents of all types are recognized and celebrated. With $1000 up for grabs, the biggest award of the event will go to one lucky (and giant) pumpkin in the Largest Pumpkin Contest. Bigger is better!

Plan your winter wardrobe

September 24 | 6:00 pm
Winnipeg Art Gallery

Winter is coming, and it’s never too early to think about fashion. The Winnipeg Art Gallery‘s annual fashion show is switching seasons to show off the new Danali collection, plus the latest looks from Nunavut’s most buzz-worthy designers. It might just be time for that wardrobe refresh!

Decorate with shades of orange, red and yellow

September to October
Powerview-Pine Falls

What is everyone’s favourite thing about autumn? No no, it’s not the pumpkin spiced lattes. It’s the fall colours! The Fall Festival of Colours encourages businesses, organizes and homeowners to join into the spirit of the season by decorating their front windows, doors and yards. The festival includes a Scarecrow Decorating Contest, Rummage Sale, Full Moon Ceremony and Spaghetti dinner.

Road trip through the heartland

Pick a road you’ve never been on and ramble along our rolling farmlands that stretch to the horizon in every direction. There’s a reason the National Geographic listed a tour through Manitoba’s farm country as one of their Drives of a Lifetime.

Get under the world’s largest big top

September 10 to October 4
Under the big white top on Kenaston Blvd, Winnipeg

Beautiful music, astounding acrobatics and magnificent horses. Get ready Winnipeg, the world’s largest touring big top is about to hit town! The internationally acclaimed Cavalia will push the limits of live entertainment with its latest production Odysseo. Head under the world’s largest big top for an equestrian and acrobatic production that will bring you to some of the planet’s most unforgettable landscapes. Check out our review on the show!

Get robbed by Bonnie and Clyde

September 27 | 11:00 am
Departing from Inkster Junction Station

All aboard! Travel back in time to the Wild West and experience a Great Train Robbery on thePrairie Dog Central! Get your tickets to ride the rails and enjoy a fun re-enactment of an old-fashioned train robbery, where bandits on horseback or in vintage automobiles storm the train along the line.

Root for our boys in Blue

September 25 | 7:30 pm
Investors Group Field

Okay, it’s been a very up and down season for the Bombers. But you can’t beat a warm fall evening socializing with friends while watching a thrilling football game at the stadium. This Friday, the boys in Blue will be taking on the Calgary Stampeders. C’MON BLUE!!!

All aboard the Manitoba Mega Train Show

September 26 to 27
Red River Exhibition Park

It’s mega train madness this weekend at the Red River Exhibition Park, where the Manitoba Mega Train Show kicks off for its annual hobbyist fair. Wander through 17,000 square feet of model train layouts from enthusiasts across the city, along with commercial vendors and private sellers.

Hey! I'm Breanne, Content Specialist for Travel Manitoba. I work with the content team to come up with wacky ideas for our blog and social media platforms. My next pitch? Top 10 Spots to Cuddle Cats in Manitoba. You can email me at bsewards@travelmanitoba.com.